U.S. patent number 10,795,187 [Application Number 16/003,241] was granted by the patent office on 2020-10-06 for pass-through seal for an electro-optic assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GENTEX CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is GENTEX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman, Juan C. Lara, Xiaoxu Niu.
United States Patent |
10,795,187 |
Cammenga , et al. |
October 6, 2020 |
Pass-through seal for an electro-optic assembly
Abstract
An electro-optic assembly includes a first substrate and a
second substrate. A primary seal is disposed between the first
substrate and the second substrate. The primary seal, the first
substrate, and the second substrate define an interior cavity. A
fill port extends through the primary seal. A secondary seal is
disposed proximate a side of the primary seal. The primary seal and
the secondary seal define a channel. A sealing plug is disposed
within the channel.
Inventors: |
Cammenga; David J. (Zeeland,
MI), Heintzelman; Adam R. (Grand Rapids, MI), Lara; Juan
C. (Holland, MI), Niu; Xiaoxu (Grand Rapids, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENTEX CORPORATION |
Zeeland |
MI |
US |
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Assignee: |
GENTEX CORPORATION (Zeeland,
MI)
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Family
ID: |
1000005097175 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/003,241 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180356653 A1 |
Dec 13, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62518935 |
Jun 13, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F
1/0107 (20130101); G02F 1/1339 (20130101); B60R
1/088 (20130101); G02F 1/1341 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02F
1/01 (20060101); G02F 1/1339 (20060101); G02F
1/1341 (20060101); B60R 1/08 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Dec. 17,
2019, for corresponding PCT application No. PCT/US2018/036586, 7
pages. cited by applicant .
International Search Report dated Sep. 27, 2018, for corresponding
PCT application No. PCT/US2018/036586, 9 pages. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Lan; Yan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price Heneveld LLP Johnson; Bradley
D.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electro-optic assembly comprising: a first substrate; a
second substrate opposite the first substrate; a seal disposed
between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the
seal, the first substrate, and the second substrate define an
interior cavity; a first opening, having a first cross-section,
defined by the first substrate; a second opening, having a second
cross-section, defined by the second substrate, wherein the first
opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the
interior cavity.
2. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plug
disposed within and extending between the first and second
openings.
3. The electro-optic assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug
comprises a sealing plug material; wherein the sealing plug
material comprises an initially fluid material.
4. The electro-optic assembly of claim 3, wherein the sealing plug
material is capable of hardening to form a solid plug.
5. The electro-optic assembly of claim 3, further comprising a
sealing material; wherein the sealing material is disposed to cover
exposed portions of the plug.
6. The electro-optic assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug
comprises a pass-through plug; and wherein the plug extends through
first and second openings and a portion of the interior cavity.
7. The electro-optic assembly of claim 6, wherein the plug
comprises a first and a second end, and a shank extending
therebetween; and wherein the first end comprises a head, the head
configured to have a larger cross-section than at least one of the
first and second cross-sections of the first and the second
openings.
8. The electro-optic assembly of claim 6, wherein the plug
comprises a rivet.
9. The electro-optic assembly of claim 6, further comprising a
sealing material; wherein the sealing material is disposed to cover
exposed portions of the head and the second end of the plug.
10. The electro-optic assembly of claim 9, wherein the sealing
material is initially deformable.
11. The electro-optic assembly of claim 7, wherein the second end
of the plug is deformable.
12. An electro-optic assembly comprising: a first substrate; a
second substrate opposite the first substrate; a seal disposed
between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the
seal, the first substrate, and the second substrate define an
interior cavity; a first opening extending through the seal between
the first substrate and the second substrate; a second opening
extending through one of the first and the second substrates,
wherein the first opening and the second opening are in fluid
communication with the interior cavity and together define a
channel; and a plug disposed within the channel.
13. The electro-optic assembly of claim 12, wherein the plug is an
initially fluid material.
14. The electro-optic assembly of claim 12, wherein one end of the
first opening is disposed at least partially in the seal; and
wherein one end of the second opening is disposed at least
partially in the seal.
15. The electro-optic assembly of claim 12, wherein one end of the
first opening is disposed within the seal; and wherein one end of
the second opening is disposed within the seal.
16. The electro-optic assembly of claim 12, wherein the first
opening is opposite the second opening.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to an electro-optic
assembly, and more particularly to a pass-through seal for a small
electro-optic assembly.
BACKGROUND
Traditional methods of sealing an electro-optic assembly may lead
to pressurized and sometimes bowed substrates, which puts
unnecessary stresses on the electro-optic assembly as a whole.
Forcing a plugging material into a single port of a cavity that
holds a non-compressible electro-optic medium can result in poor
plugging and leaks in the electro-optic assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an
electro-optic assembly may comprise a first substrate; a second
substrate opposite the first substrate; a seal disposed between the
first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the seal, the
first substrate, and the second substrate define an interior
cavity; a first opening, having a first cross-section, defined by
the first substrate; a second opening, having a second
cross-section, defined by the second substrate, wherein the first
opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the
interior cavity. The electro-optic assembly may further comprise a
plug disposed within and extending between the first and second
openings. The plug may comprise a sealing plug material; the
sealing plug material may comprise an initially fluid material. The
sealing plug material may be capable of hardening to form a solid
plug. The electro-optic assembly may further comprise a sealing
material; the sealing material may be disposed to cover exposed
portions of the plug. The plug may comprise a pass-through plug;
and the plug may extend through first and second openings and a
portion of the interior cavity. The plug may comprise a first and a
second end, and a shank extending therebetween; and the first end
may comprise a head, the head configured to have a larger
cross-section than at least one of the first and second
cross-sections of the first and the second openings. The plug may
comprise a rivet. The electro-optic assembly may further comprise a
sealing material; the sealing material may be disposed to cover
exposed portions of the head and the second end of the plug. The
sealing material may be initially deformable. The second end of the
plug may be deformable.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an
electro-optic assembly may comprise a first substrate; a second
substrate opposite the first substrate; a primary seal disposed
between the first substrate and the second substrate, the primary
seal, the first substrate, and the second substrate define an
interior cavity; a fill port extending through the primary seal; a
secondary seal disposed proximate a side of the primary seal, the
primary seal and the secondary seal define a channel adjacent the
fill port; and a plug disposed within the channel. The plug may be
an initially fluid material.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of
making an electro-optic assembly includes forming a first substrate
and a second substrate. A primary seal may be provided between the
first substrate to the second substrate to define an interior
cavity. A fill port may be formed through the primary seal. A
secondary seal may be positioned proximate the primary seal to form
a channel adjacent the fill port. The channel includes an inlet and
an outlet. A fluid plug may be flowed through the channel. The
fluid may be adapted to solidify and seal the interior cavity.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an
electro-optic assembly includes a first substrate and a second
substrate. A primary seal may be disposed between the first
substrate and the second substrate. The primary seal, the first
substrate, and the second substrate define an interior cavity. A
fill port extends through the primary seal. A secondary seal may be
disposed proximate a side of the primary seal. The primary seal and
the secondary seal define a channel adjacent the fill port. A
sealing plug may be disposed within the channel.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of
making an electro-optic assembly includes forming a first substrate
and a second substrate. A primary seal may be provided between the
first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate, the
second substrate, and the primary seal define an interior cavity. A
first fill port may be formed through the primary seal between the
first substrate and the second substrate. A second fill port may be
formed through one of the first and the second substrates. The
first fill port and the second fill port are in fluid communication
with the interior cavity and together define a channel. A fluid
plug may be flowed through the channel.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an
electro-optic assembly includes a first substrate and a second
substrate. A primary seal may be disposed between the first
substrate and the second substrate. The primary seal, the first
substrate, and the second substrate define an interior cavity. A
first fill port extends through the primary seal between the first
substrate and the second substrate. A second fill port extends
through one of the first and the second substrates. The first fill
port and the second fill port are in fluid communication with the
interior cavity and together define a channel. A sealing plug may
be disposed within the channel. One end of first and second
openings may be disposed to open at least partially into primary
seal. One end of first and second openings may be disposed
completely in primary seal. First and second openings may be
opposite one another.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of
making an electro-optic assembly includes forming a first substrate
and a second substrate. A primary seal may be provided between the
first substrate to the second substrate. The first substrate, the
second substrate, and the primary seal define an interior cavity. A
first fill port may be formed through the first substrate. A second
fill port may be formed through the second substrate. The first
fill port and the second fill port are in fluid communication with
the interior cavity and together define a channel. A fluid plug may
be flowed through the channel.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an
electro-optic assembly includes a first substrate and a second
substrate. A primary seal may be disposed between the first
substrate and the second substrate. The primary seal, the first
substrate, and the second substrate define an interior cavity. The
first substrate defines a first opening. The second substrate
defines a second opening. The first opening and the second opening
are in fluid communication with the interior cavity and together
define a channel. A sealing plug may be disposed within the
channel.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present
invention will be further understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art by reference to the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electro-optic assembly of
the present disclosure with a primary seal exploded away from the
electro-optic assembly;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 1 before coupling with a secondary seal;
FIG. 3B is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 1 after coupling with a secondary seal;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial front elevational view of the
electro-optic assembly of FIG. 1 taken at area IV;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an electro-optic assembly of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7A is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 5 prior to installation of a sealing plug;
FIG. 7B is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 5 after installation of a sealing plug;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial front elevational view of the
electro-optic assembly of FIG. 5 taken at area VIII;
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an electro-optic assembly of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the electro-optic assembly
of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11A is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly
of FIG. 9 before installation of a sealing plug;
FIG. 11B is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly
of FIG. 9 after installation of a sealing plug;
FIG. 12 is a partial front perspective view of the electro-optic
assembly of FIG. 9 taken at area XII;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the electro-optic assembly of
FIG. 13 after installation of a pass-through sealing plug;
FIG. 14 is a partial front perspective view of another embodiment
of an electro-optic assembly of FIG. 9 taken at area XII;
FIG. 15 is a side view of an embodiment of a pass-through seal
inserted into the electro-optic assembly of FIG. 13, taken along
line XV-XV of FIG. 14; and
FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of the pass-through seal
installed in the electro-optic assembly of FIG. 13, taken along
line XV-XV of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1-16, the reference numeral 10 generally
designates an electro-optic assembly that includes a first
substrate 12 and a second substrate 14. A primary seal 16 may be
disposed between first substrate 12 and second substrate 14, and
may extend about a periphery of each of first and second substrates
12, 14. Primary seal 16, first substrate 12, and second substrate
14 may define an interior cavity 18.
Electro-optic assembly 10 may be generally configured for a variety
of uses. Electro-optic assembly 10 may be utilized in small imager
devices, heads-up displays, vehicle rearview devices, and the like.
Electro-optic assembly 10 may include an electro-optic medium 30
that may be influenced by a voltage applied to electro-optic medium
30, and consequently may darken or lighten. Electro-optic medium 30
may be disposed within interior cavity 18. As previously noted,
interior cavity 18 may be generally defined between primary seal 16
and first and second substrates 12, 14.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a fill port 20 may
extend through primary seal 16 into interior cavity 18. In some
embodiments, fill port 20 may be used to fill interior cavity 18
with electro-optic medium 30. Fill port 20 may subsequently be
plugged or otherwise closed by the installation of a sealing plug
28 after electro-optic medium 30 has been inserted into interior
cavity 18.
In some embodiments, a secondary seal 22 may be disposed proximate
a portion of an exterior sidewall 24 of primary seal 16. In some
embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, secondary seal 22 may be spaced
from, but extend generally parallel to, the portion of exterior
sidewall 24 of primary seal 16. As a result, a channel 26 may be
formed between secondary seal 22 and primary seal 16. After
electro-optic medium 30 has been supplied to interior cavity 18,
sealing plug 28 may be inserted into channel 26 to seal fill port
20 closed, thereby sealing electro-optic medium 30 inside interior
cavity 18. In some embodiments, sealing plug 28 may initially
include fluid-like properties, allowing sealing plug 28 to flow
into channel 26 before solidifying, becoming a solid plug and
thereby sealing interior cavity 18. In some embodiments, sealing
plug 28 may be a rigid rivet-like structure.
With reference to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, sealing plug 28 may
flow into channel 26 in the direction of arrow A. In this instance,
a first opening 32 may constitute an inlet for sealing plug 28 and
a second opening 34 an outlet. However, sealing plug 28 could also
flow into channel 26 through the other side of channel 26 in a
direction opposite that of arrow A. In this instance, second
opening 34 would constitute an inlet for the sealing plug 28 and
first opening 32 would constitute an outlet. In some embodiments,
sealing plug 28 may extend at least from first opening 32 to second
opening 34. Sealing plug 28 may extend at least partially into fill
port 20. Regardless of which opening (first opening 32 or second
opening 34) is used as the inlet and which is used as the outlet,
the inlet and the outlet may be in close proximity to one another.
In some embodiments, the flow of sealing plug 28 could be directed
both in the direction of arrow A into first opening 32 and opposite
the direction of arrow A into second opening 34. Sealing plug 28
may flow into channel 26, and then may solidify, resulting in a
solid plug disposed in channel 26, thereby sealing electro-optic
medium 30 into interior cavity 18.
With reference now to FIGS. 5-8, in some embodiments, electro-optic
assembly 10 may include a first fill port 40 extending through
primary seal 16 between first and second substrates 12, 14. A
second fill port 42 may extend through one of first and second
substrates 12, 14 and may be in fluid communication with first fill
port 40. First and second fill ports 40, 42 may be in fluid
communication with interior cavity 18 and together may define a
channel 44 through which sealing plug 28 can flow to fill channel
44. As with the previous embodiment, the material of sealing plug
28 may initially include fluid-like properties, such that sealing
plug 28 may flow through channel 26 and then solidify, resulting in
sealing plug 28 becoming generally solid, thereby sealing interior
cavity 18. It will be understood that, in this instance, a
longitudinal extent of first and second fill ports 40, 42 generally
extend orthogonally to one another. However, in some embodiments,
first and second fill ports 40, 42 may extend at a variety of
angles relative to one another. It will also be understood that
second fill port 42 may be positioned in either of first substrate
12 or second substrate 14. In either instance, first fill port 40
may be in fluid communication with second fill port 42, such that
the application of sealing plug 28 into first fill port 40 and from
there, into second fill port 42 may result in a sealed interior
cavity 18. Alternatively, sealing plug 28 may be inserted into
second fill port 42, such that sealing plug 28 flows from second
fill port 42 into first fill port 40.
With reference now to FIGS. 9-16, in some embodiments, first
substrate 12 may define a first opening 60, and second substrate
may define a second opening 62. First opening 60 may be opposite
second opening 62. First and second openings 60, 62 may be in fluid
communication with interior cavity 18. First and second openings
60, 62 may be disposed near the periphery of first and second
substrates 12, 14, and may be in proximity to primary seal 16.
In some embodiments, one end of first and second openings 60, 62
may be disposed to open at least partially into primary seal 16. In
some embodiments, one end of first and second openings may be
disposed completely in primary seal 16.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, first and second
openings 60, 62 may define a channel 64, and sealing plug 28 may be
disposed in channel 64. As in previous embodiments, sealing plug 28
may initially be a fluid material, allowing sealing plug 28 to flow
into channel 64 through one of first and second opening 60, 62. In
some embodiments, sealing plug 28 may flow out through the opening
opposite the one through which it flowed into channel 64, either
second or first opening 62, 60. In some embodiments, sealing plug
28 may be introduced into both first and second openings 60, 62.
After flowing through channel 64, sealing plug 28 may solidify,
thereby sealing interior cavity 18.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, a pass-through seal
84 may be inserted into one of first opening 60 and second opening
62. Pass-through seal 84 may extend from first opening 60 through a
portion of interior cavity 18, and through at least a portion of
second opening 62. In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may
comprise a shank portion 89 having a first end 88 having a head
portion 86, and a second end 90. In some embodiments, head portion
86 of pass-through seal 84 may be one of disk-shaped and annular,
although other shapes and configurations are possible. Head portion
86 of pass-through seal 84 may have a cross-section, and first and
second openings 60, 62 may each have cross-sections. In some
embodiments, the cross-section of head portion 86 of pass-through
seal 84 may be larger than at least one of the cross-sections of
first and second openings 60, 62. In some embodiments, head portion
86 of pass-through seal 84 may be configured to be large enough to
prevent head portion from entering either first or second opening
60, 62. Pass-through seal 84 may be configured to allow head
portion 86 to rest generally flush against an exterior surface of
one of first substrate 12 and second substrate 14 surrounding first
or second opening 60, 62 respectively when shank portion 89 of
pass-through seal 84 is inserted into one of first and second
opening 60, 62. In some embodiments, first and second openings may
be generally cylindrical, and shank portion 89 of pass-through seal
84 may extend coaxially through first and second openings 60,
62.
In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may comprise a rivet or a
rivet-like structure as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Pass-through seal
84 may be inserted into one of first and second openings 60, 62
until head portion 86 abuts the exterior surface of first or second
substrate 12, 14 surrounding first or second opening 60, 62 through
which pass-through seal 84 was inserted, as shown in FIG. 15. In
some embodiments, once pass-through seal 84 has been inserted into
electro-optic device, second end 90 of pass-through seal 84 may
extend from the first or second opening 60, 62 opposite the opening
through which pass-through seal 84 was inserted. Pass-through seal
84 may be configured to, upon longitudinal compression of
pass-through seal 84, allow a flattening and widening of second end
90, thereby causing second end 90 to rest generally flush against
an exterior surface of first or second substrate 12, 14. The
flattening and widening of second end 90 may serve to seal interior
cavity 18, as shown in FIG. 16.
In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may comprise a cylinder,
a cylindrical cone, a bar-bell, or any other shape that may extend
through and seal first and second openings 60, 62. Pass-through
seal 84 may be configured to be press-fit into at least one of
first and second openings 60, 62.
In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may be of a plastic or
other material that may be partially deformable in at least some
conditions. In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may be
partially deformable in some conditions, while it will hold its
shape without deforming in other conditions. Pass-through seal 84
may be of a material sufficiently deformable to allow it to be
compressed and pushed into and through first and second openings
60, 62. Once inserted into one of first and second openings 60, 62,
pass-through seal 84 may resume its original shape, thereby sealing
interior cavity 18. In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may
be deformable in certain temperatures or for a certain time period,
and may then solidify, resulting in a solid plug. In some
embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may be of a material that may be
initially deformable, and may be cured once it is correctly
positioned, such as an epoxy.
In some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may comprise a metal.
Pass-through seal 84 may comprise a deformable metal. In some
embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may comprise a metal that does
not react with electro-optic medium 30, such as silver or gold. In
some embodiments, pass-through seal 84 may be of a metal that may
react with electro-optic medium 30, and may be coated with a metal
that does not react with electro-optic medium 30, such as
silver-plated copper. Using a coated metal may allow the use of a
less-expensive metal for pass-through seal 84, thus minimizing the
use of more expensive metals and still preventing unwanted
interactions between electro-optic medium 30 and the material of
pass-through seal 84.
In some embodiments, a second sealing material 92 may be disposed
to cover exposed portions of pass-through seal 84 as shown in FIG.
16. In some embodiments, second sealing material 92 may be disposed
to encase head portion 86 of pass-through seal 84. In some
embodiments, second sealing material 92 may encase both head
portion 86 and second end 90 of pass-through seal 84. In some
embodiments, second sealing material 92 may encase all exposed
portions of pass-through seal 84. Second sealing material 92 may be
an initially flexible or fluid-like material. In some embodiments,
second sealing material 92 may solidify after being placed in the
desired position. In some embodiments, second sealing material may
be placed in the desired position then cured to form a solid
seal.
Second sealing material 92 may comprise any material that is
capable of sealing the perimeter of pass-through seal 84 and at
least one of first and second substrates 12, 14, to prevent
electro-optic medium 30 from leaking from interior cavity 18.
Second sealing material 92 may comprise, for example, a UV-curable
or thermal-curable epoxy or epoxy resin, acrylate or acrylate
resin, polyisobutylene. Second sealing material 92 may comprise
mixtures of liquid epoxy resin with liquid polyamide resin or
dicyandiamide.
It will also be understood that components of each electro-optic
assembly 10 may be aligned during manufacturing so that one
continuous channel may be provided through several electro-optic
assemblies 10 at the same time. Consequently, sealing plug 28 can
flow through several adjacent electro-optic assemblies 10
simultaneously. It will be understood that for each embodiment
disclosed above, a portion of sealing plug 28 may swell into
interior cavity 18. However, the swelling may result in even a
better seal in certain applications. It will also be understood
that for each of the embodiments disclosed herein, like reference
numerals generally designate like or similar features for each
embodiment.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that
construction of the described invention and other components is not
limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of
the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of
materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all of its
forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining
of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly
to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable
in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components
(electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members
being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another
or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature
or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise
stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement
of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary
embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments
of the present innovations have been described in detail in this
disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure
will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions
of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally
formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as
multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the
interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width
of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of
the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment
positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be
noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be
constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide
sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of
colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes,
and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and
arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without
departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in
combinations of method steps and apparatus components of the
pass-through plug for an electro-optic assembly. The apparatus
components and method steps have been represented, where
appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only
those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings
represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower,"
"right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term "front" shall refer to
the surface of the device closer to an intended viewer of the
device, and the term "rear" shall refer to the surface of the
device further from the intended viewer of the device. However, it
is to be understood that the invention may assume various
alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the
contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and
processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in
the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the
inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,
unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," or any other
variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion,
such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by
"comprises a . . . " does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within
described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes
or steps to form structures within the scope of the present
invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein
are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as
limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without
departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further
it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be
covered by the following claims unless these claims by their
language expressly state otherwise.
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